William painter



y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1` W.' PAINTBR. l

l AUTOMATIC MAGNETO SIGNAL FOR TELEPHONES. No. 269,225.

Patented Deo. 19, 1882.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. PAINTER. AUTOMATIC M-AGNETO SIGNAL FOR TELEPHONES.

No. 269,225. Patented Dec. 19, 1882.

M. @wm

UNITED STATESi PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM PAIN'IE l, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LEWIS R. KEIZER, OF SAME ILAOE.

AUTOMATIC MAGNETO-SIGNAL FOR TELEPHONES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,225, dated December 19, 1882,

Application filed March '2, 1F92. (No model.)

To all whom tt may concern:

Ie it known that I, \VILLIAM IAINTER, of Baltimore city, State ot' Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 5 in Automatic Magneto Signaling Apparatus t'or Telephones; and I hereby declare the same to be fully, clearly, and exactly described as follows, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1 and 2arc end elevations, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation, ot'a magneto-instrument of the crank toi m embodying my present invention. Fig. 4 is a similar view ot' a detail of construction. Fig. 5 is a sectional view ofthe crank-shaft on the line c wot' Fig. 3. Fig.6 is an elevation partly in section ot' a push-button apparatus, and Fig. 7 a similar view of another tnoditication embodying the same invention.

My said invention relates to magneto-call instruments for telephone-lilies; and it consists, tirst, in so combining therewith a telephone-supporting device and certain operative mechanism that in the actot' replacing thetelcphone on its support, or incidental thereto, a step is necessarily involved which shall result in the generation ot' a magneto impulse that signals the central otticc that the user is done with the line, said signaling being automatic 3o in the sense that it involves no volition to that end on the part of the user; second, in an automatic switch for shunting the coil of the armature out of circuit when the instrument is in its normal condition,and into circuitwhen a call is being made or the automatic signaling impulseis being transmitted.

In operating telephone-exchanges it is desirable that prompt notice be given When the user is done with the line, in order that it may 4o be immediately placed at the disposal of another person and the various connections restored to their normal condition. This has been attempted inthe class of signals to which my invention relates by instructing subscribers to signal the central otiice or exchange when they are through using the line either by turning the crank or pressing the button of the magneto-call; but such action on the part of subscribers cannotpractically be enforced. The go signaling ofthe exchange can be accomplished successfully in two ways-Y-eitherautomatically, in the sense that an act normal and usual in replacing the instrument shall actuate the signal, or else by necessitating a step preliminary or incidental thereto which shall have the same effect. Bytheuse of such means the necessity for cutting in by the oice on connected lilies to ascertain if the conversation is completed is avoided, the business ot' the exchange is facilitated, time and labor are saved, and subscribers are spared the 'annoyance of frequent interruptions while conversing.

My invention is applicable to either the crank or push-button t'orm of magneto-call instruments,and by its use the exchange is automatically signaled when the subscriber is done using the lille. This is accomplished, broadly speaking, by causing the telephone, asitis replaced, to actuate the generator, and thereby produce the necessary magneto impulse to ring a bell or drop a signal at the exchange. Specitically it is done either by causing the act of hanging up the telephone (oran act necessarily preliminary thereto) to release a reserve force generated in the act of iirst signaling the of- Iice, which force serves to actuate the magnetocall, or by necessitating an act on the part ot' the user preliminary to hanging up the telephone which shall produce the desired magnetosignal, or, finally, by causing the direct weight ot' the telephone to act upon the armature ot' the lnageto-call in such manner as to impart to it the sudden movement necessary to generate the signaling impulse. In the accompanying drawings I have shown an example of each of these three forms. In the tirst the turning of the crank in calling the otlice or in answering its call stores a reserve force by expanding a spring, which force is automatically released by the descent of the telephone-hook as the instrument is hung up, and the signal is given by such release. In the second the telephone-hook is closed by a bolt or latch, which must be retracted before the telephone can be hung up, and the act of retracting the bolt is made to produce the magneto-signal. In the third the descent of the hook by the direct weight ot' the telephone retracts the armature and sends the signal. llloditications ot' these forms ot' apparatus aie IOO obvious, and I do not limit myself to the use of the precise devices shown.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in which what I deem the best embodiments of the three forms of device are shown, A A represent the usual U-shaped magnets, secured in the call-box, and a is the shaft to which is attached the crank a. 0n the shaft a is a gear-wheel, b, that meshes with a smaller wheel, K, on the shaft h,which lattercarries the usual revolving armature, H, and coil or helix. A spring, l', which is attached to the connection m', is in contact with thc end ot' the shaft l1, as usual. The shaft a is mounted in bearings c c, and carries at its extremity a toothed wheel, C.

B is a disk having a radial lug, c, and this disk is secured to or integral with a slee\'e,J, which is mounted on the shaft n, and is free to revolve in the bearing c.

Eis a spring secured at one end to a stud, e, on the disk I, and at the other to a stud,e, ou the frame of the magnets. ()n the stud e is pivoted a pawl, F, adapted to engage with the wheel C, and having a lng,j", which projects through a hole, G,in the disk 15. Asprlng,

y, on the inner side of the disk presses on the lugf and holds the pawl F normally in engagement with the wheel C, as shown in Fig. 1. A lugf, 0n the bearing c serves to lift the lugj',disengaging the pawl from the wheel (l. (See Fig. 2.)

The inner end of the sleeve J is cut away or flattened atj, Figs. 3 and 5, and t is a contactspring having a connection, m, for completing the circuit through the armature-coil. Then the apparatus is in its normal position, Fig. 1, the flattened portion of the sleeve J is immediately under the spring, as shown in Fig. 5, and the parts are not in contact, the spring l in this position resting against the contact-bar I, which is in electric connection with theline at m', whereby the armature-coil is cut out. As soon as the sleeve J turns so as to bring its cylindrical surface under the spring l, as in Figs. 2 and 3, the latter is lifted clear of the bar l, and the armature-coil is thrown into circuit by contact of the spring l with thc sleeve J. said sleeve being in electric connection with the frame ofthe magnets and with the armatureshaft, to which one end of the coil is attached, as usual. The other end ofthe coil is in electric connection with the spring l through the pin h, also in the usual way. It will be seen thatI avail myselfofthe two definite positions ofthe sleeve to secure the necessary electrical connection without resort to special automatic shunt mechanism, such as heretofore employed in connection with the armature-coil.

l) is the telephone hook or support, pivoted in the side ot' the box, and having the usual spring by which it is thrown into the position shown in dotted lines, Fig.4 when the telephone is removed. It is provided with an arm, 1)', having two ribs, d d', ou its inner side, adapted to arrest the revolution ot thc disk B by engaging with its radial lug c. These ribs are curved in the arcs ot' circles described about the pivot ofthe hook or support.

Fig. 1 illustrates the normal position ofthe disk, pawl, and spring, and Figs. 2 and 3 the position of these parts while the instrument is in use or after a call has been made.

ln operation as the crank a is turned the armature II is revolved and the signal is sent to the oflice. Incidentally, the toothed wheel C revolves,carrying with it the disk B by reason of the engagement ofthe pawl F with the wheel, and at the same time expanding thc spring E. When the disk has turned nearly to the position shown in Fig. 2 the lug f', attached to the pawl lv, encounters the lugf, and

the pawl is lifted out of engagement with the wheel C, which thereafter revolves independently of the disk pending the sending of the signal. The line of traction of the spring E now being to the left, Fig. 2, of the shaft a, it tends to cause the disk 13 to revolve in the direction of the arrow; but this is prevented by reason of the engagement of the lug c with the rib d' of thc telephone-hook, and the spring is therefore held under tension. \Vhen the signal is answered by the exchange or central otiice the subscriber takes down the telephone to use it, and the hook tilts to the position shown in dotted lilies, Fig. 4, causing the rib d to pass clear of the lug c. The disk B thereupon moves slightly forward until the lug c strikes the upper rib, d, which by the tilting of the hook has been brought over the lugo, the lug j" still remaining upon fand continuingto hold the pawl F out of engagement with the wheel U. When the subscriber has linished using the line and hangs up the telephone the hook D and arm D are again tilted into the position shown in full lines, Fig. 4, and the lug c passes between the ribs d d' and is released. The spring E is now free to act, and it effects a half-turn of the disk B, which carries with it the wheel U, by reason of the engagement of the pawl F with the latter. This engagement occurs as soon as the lugf' on the pawl passes clear of the lugf. The armature H is thus caused to revolve, generating the magneto impulse to actuate the signal at the ofce,giving notice that the subscriber has hung up the telephone.

In Fig. (i is shown a form of device embodying my invention, belonging to the second class hereinbefore referred to. ln this case I interpose an obstacle to hanging up the telephone of such nature that the signal is a necessary preliminary to replacing the instrument on the hook or other support. A is the magnet, n the helix, and N the armature. rllhe latter is attached to a lever, O, pivoted at o, and is of theusual form. P is thepush-button,attached to a rod, p', which carries an arm, Theinner end ot' the rod p bears upon the lever as shown.

lt is the telephone-hook, the end of which is covered normally by a sliding bolt, p, attached at r to the arm Q. In the position shown the telephone is supposed to be in use. Before it ICC rig

can be hung up the bolt p must be retracted by pressing upon the push-button; butin doing so the armature is withdrawn from the magnet, and the signal is thereby sent to the office. I have shown the hook lt in Fig. 6 as pivoted and having a spring for lifting it, because this is the conventional fornuand I have illustrated my invention as applied thereto as a simple addition. The pivoting therefore is merely incidental.

Fig. 7 illustrates the third form ot' device embodying` my invention. In this case the weight of the instrument is relied upon to send the signal as the telephone is hung up. The magnet A, helix n, armature N, and lever are substantially the same as in the last case, except that for convenience these parts are preferably inverted. To the lever 0 is attached a spring, S, against the end ot' which an arm of the telephone-hook bears, as shown. On hanging up the instrument the spring Sis pressed toward the lever until the tension of the spring overcomes the attraction at the armature, when the latter is suddenly withdrawn, generating the magneto impulse to actuate the signal.

From the description hereinbefore given ot' the construction ot' the automatic shunt mechanism its operation will be readily understood.

It will be seen that while the apparatus is in its normal position the armature-coil is cutout `of circuit, but is thrown into circuit at the beginning of the movement of the call mechanism by reason ot' tho movement of the sleeve,

. and is maintained in circuitcontinuously until the automatic signaling impulse has been transmitted, and the disk and sleeve return to their normal position.

I have considered it unnecessary to illus` trate ordescribe the conventional connections with the telephone and the line, as such are of thc usual form and arrangement.

lt will be seen. that my invention involves no revolution ofexisting and well-kn0wn forms ot' magneto-calls, necessitating but a slight change and that one ot' addition only.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 'sv l. In a magneto-call apparatus for telephonelines, the combination, with the telephone-suporting device and the mechanism for genen ating the magneto impulse, of means, substan- `ljally as described, whereby the act of replac- 'mg the telepone on its support shall, without volition to that end on the part of the user, cause said mechanism to generate a magneto impulse and notify the central otiice that the Une is no longer in use, as set forth.

2. In combination with a magnetocall apparatns, means, substantially as described, for `'storing a reserve force by the act of makinga 'call or answering one, which force, upon being brought into action, generates a magneto impulse, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination with the armature of a magneto-call a spring arranged to be brought and held under tension by the act of making a call, or answering one, and means, substantially as described, for releasing said spring by the replacing of the telephone, whereby the armature is given the necessary sudden movement andthe magneto signaling impulse is generated, as set forth.

4. In a magneto-call apparatus, an armature, mechanism, substantially as described, for revolving the same through the medium ot' a force which is stored in the act of making or answering a call, and a telephone-supportiug device adapted to arrest the movement ofthe revolving mechanism and to release the same when the instrument is replaced, whereby a magnetosignal is automatically transmitted, as set forth.

5. Ina magneto-call apparatus, a crank-shaft for actuating the call, and independent actuating mechanism, substantially as described, normally in engagement with said shaft, which in the act of sending the call is thrown out ot' engagement with thel shaft, but falls into engagement again and revolves the shaft and armature upon replacing the telephone, as set forth.

6. In a magneto-call apparatus,independent mechanism for actuating the armature substantially as described, whereby in the act of sending a call a reserve torce is stored,in combination with a telephonesupport adapted to arrest the movement of the parts active in storing said force and to release the same in the act of or incidental to replacing the telephone on its support, as set forth.

7. In combination with a magneto-call apparatus, a spring-actuated disk normally in engagement with the shaft for revolving the armature, which disk is carried in the act ot' sending the call and against the resistance of' the spring, to a position in which its motion is arrested and its engagement with the armature-moving mechanism is suspended pending the making of the call, a stop, and releasing mechanism connected with the telephone-supporting device, substantially as described, whereby in the act of replacing the telephone on its-support the disk is released,leaving the spring free to actuate the signal, as set forth.

S. In a magnetocall apparatus, a crank-shaft for actuating the call, a toothed wheel secured thereto, and adisk which supports a pawl normallyin engagement with said wheel,whereby the shaft and disk are caused to revolve together, in combination with means for arresting the motion ot' the disk and for disengaging the pawl, and mechanism for automatically moving the stop and releasing the disk, as set forth.

9. In a magneto-call apparatus, a disk normally connected with the armature, in combination with the telephone-supporting device, constructed as described, whereby it is adapted to engage with the disk, the said supporting device being arranged to maintain engagenient with said disk pending the removal ot' the telephone from its support, and only to IOO ISO

its normal condition, to shunt it; into circuit; while the call is being made, and to retain the connections in circuit until the automatic signaling impulse has been transmitted, as and for the purpose set'l forth.

WILLIAM PA INTER..

release it when the instrument is finally replaced, as seb forth.

l0. In a magnetocull apparatus for telephone-lines, mechanism, substantially as de- 5 scribed, for automatically transmitting a signal hy the release of a reserve force stored in the act of sending or answering a. call, in combination with a shuntdevice constructed substantially as setforth, and adapted to cut out io the armature-coil while the apparatus is in Witnesses:

R. D. WILLIAMS, WILLIAM DEMUTH. 

